Fitness company launches men only slimmers groups

Many men feel intimidated by the traditional female-dominated meeting room environment

It's the time of year when bloated, hungover husbands vow to change their slovenly ways and finally get fit.

But, after almost two weeks of Christmas stuffing, many are loathe to be seen struggling round the local park in running shorts that are two sizes too small.

Now, in a bid to protect the modesty of these shy slimmers, one fitness company has launched a chain of men-only weight loss schemes.

Slimming company WeightWatchers claims to have discovered a huge gap in the market for coy male fatties.

Pointing out that just five per cent of its members are men, it claims that men are put off taking part in its programmes by the thought that they will be discussing their diets with judgmental women.

Starting on New Year's Day, the company is launching seven men-only WeightWatchers groups in England.

The groups will run in exactly the same ways as normal, in that members attend weekly meetings at which their weight it checked and they discuss their diets.

Rather than taking place in school halls or private homes, the men-only meeting will happen in what are considered to be the more masculine surrounds of a gym or leisure centre.

Mads Ryder, the company's UK Vice President said: 'Worrying about your weight is still largely seen as a female issue and it can be very difficult for a man to admit he has a problem and seek help.

'Our research shows that many men feel intimidated by the traditional female-dominated meeting room environment which is why we are trialling our Men Only meetings in venues men are familiar with, such as gyms and sports clubs.

'The more relaxed and comfortable they feel in our meetings, the more inclined they will be to participate and the better success they will achieve.'

Dietician Zoe Hellman said: 'Men perceive barriers to attending group sessions, whilst women are more open to joining in a being part of a supportive group atmosphere.

'This is a classic trend seen in men, reflected in the fact that men are less likely to access health services compared with women, such as visit their GP or dentist.'

The initiative comes as obesity levels in the UK, which are already among the highest in the world, continue to rise. By 2050 it is predicted that at least 60 per cent of the population will be clinically obese, meaning they are so fat that their health is in danger.

The obesity epidemic is thought to be a major factor behind the rise in heart disease, which is Britain's biggest killer, claiming 200,000 lives a year, which is four in every ten deaths.

Research has shown that just a small decrease in body weight can quickly reduce the chances of heart disease - which affects many more men than women.